McGonigle's Near-Homer, Merrill's Catch Highlight Tigers' Game

On March 28, Tiger's rookie Kevin McGonagall came close to his first major league

home run Friday night at Peco Park. In the second inning against the Padres,

he smashed the fastball deep to center field. But Padres center

fielder Jackson Merrill attracted down with a spectacular leap at the wall,

denying the Homer. The ball traveled 403 feet to right center,

looking like a sure thing. McGonagall had to settle for a long out instead.

This came right after his impressive debut the day before.

Merrill has quickly become one of the best defensive outfielders in the game.

A former infielder, he made several highlight real catches last season robbing home runs.

Fans in the front row helped by stepping back, giving him the space to make the play.

Earlier Thursday, McGonagall made history with four hits in his opening day debut.

He's only the second Tiger ever to do that in a big league opener.

The Tigers won that game eight to two.

McGonagall will have to wait a bit longer for his first homer,

but his hot start shows plenty of promise as he settles into the majors.

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